I-V curve of the electron flow generated during a pyroelectric effect in lithium tantalate single crystal in vacuum conditions

Abstract

Realization of a pyroelectric effect in vacuum provides the possibility to develop a compact and relatively inexpensive electron source. In this paper we observe and analyze the I-V curve of electron flow generated during the pyroelectric effect in a lithium tantalate single crystal. The region of the monoenergetic electron flow with a slow change in the peak energy is determined. This phenomenon is accompanied by a current avalanche process. The analysis of the electron spectra and the I-V curve shows that the observed avalanche process and the stabilization of the peak energy occurs due to a sharp increase of secondary electrons in the total electron flow.